Teachers

Teachers

Rick Hodes has been teaching professionally for 18 years and playing for 32. He studied classical/rudimental percussion privately for 7 years with the top percussionist for the Army Band, William Messerschmidt and studied percussion performance at East Carolina University with Mark Ford and Harold Jones. In addition he also has been an avid enthusiast of the guitar and electric bass for which he has been playing for 20 years. A seasoned performing artist who has done every type of gig from musicals to big band jazz to zydeco to speed metal. He is also a recording artist for Shrapnel Records with the band Timelord. Rick plays for the Nation's number one DMB tribute band, Crowded Streets.

Tony has been performing, recording and teaching in the Washington, DC area for nearly 20 years. His career has taken him across much of the U.S. with a variety of acts performing in clubs big and small as well as large festivals. Although Tony loves to be on stage, his true passion is in sharing the gift of music with his students of all ages. From early beginners to students of more advanced skill, Tony enjoys enriching the lives of others through his knowledge of the art of music. He specializes in Blues, Rock, Funk, Latin, Jazz and Classical. With a patient and kind approach, Tony focuses his teaching on proper form and technique, sight reading, ear training and improvisational skills.

Nicole’s musical experience began with an early study of piano throughout childhood, and branched into guitar study. She is currently an active performer and educator, and has worked with students in the area for over 7 years. As a teacher, Nicole’s primary goal for her students is to enjoy their instrument and be able to share their gift with others.Because of her broad range of musical experience and proficiency with various styles, she is able to customize lessons to the needs and interests of the students, whether they are interested in rock, pop, or traditional repertoire.Nicole is active in the local music scene, playing guitar in Accidents and Collider. She has recorded many albums and has been playing shows for the past ten years.

Caitlin Schneiderman is a singer songwriter from Clifton, Virginia. She made her first recording at age fifteen and continues to record and perform her original music in the DC area. After completing college at Shepherd University, she began teaching private guitar, ukulele and songwriting lessons and has been teaching locally for the past 10 years. If you’re a beginner looking for a place to start, an experienced player needing inspiration or a singer songwriter searching for your sound, Caitlin can help you discover and enhance your unique musical talents! caitlinschneiderman.com

John has over 22 years experience in music with over 15 years in guitar. He studied guitar locally under Rob Ross and has over a decade of experience in performing, recording, and songwriting. John has performed at notable DC area venues such as Jammin' Java, The Kennedy Center, and the 9:30 Club. Lessons are focused on sight reading and ear training in addition to learning songs and building tools for songwriting and creativity. Over 10 years experience in teaching.

Robert has studied contemporary guitar performance at Berklee College of Music, jazz guitar performance at VCU and guitar, cello, piano, and music theory at NOVA Annandale campus. Robert also studied voice privately with a number of local teachers. He has been teaching in homes and through music stores since 2008 as well as being a Music Theory teacher's aid at the NOVA Annandale campus. Robert has been singing since age 4. He started off in church choirs and at 16 moved on to open mics. Robert has recorded albums and EPs with the bands, Standard Deviation, Mokey Doris, Family Plots, and Yum as well as singer/songwriter Phoebe Novak. He is current band Milo in the Doldrums is set to release their third album this summer! Combine Robert's strong music theory/history background with his life time of instruction as a multi-instrumentalist (including voice!) and you will see Robert has something to offer almost anyone that comes through the doors at The Music School.

James Helle is a Northern Virginia based guitarist with 20 years of professional performing experience. He studied with Berklee graduate and "Nighthawks" guitarist Paul Bell for 3 years and continued his studies with members of the Shenandoah University Jazz Ensemble. Jameshas multiple east coast tours under his belt along with four recorded albums under "The Band Called Future" and one recorded album under “Projected Man” which was produced by multiple Grammy winner Michael League of the band “Snarky Puppy”.James is currently playing local trio/solo shows in the DMV area and subs for the Junior Bryce Band and Randy Thompson Band.James is a hard working musician with a wealth of knowledgethat would benefit both beginner and experienced guitarists and song writers.

Madelyn is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a BM in Vocal Music Education and has experience teaching music theory, choir, private piano and voice lessons. She studied classical voice for many years and has been trained by and among successful opera singers, but mainly enjoys performing contemporary music (or nerdy choral music). Her claim to fame is the experience she had competing in the ICCA’s as a part of her a cappella group in college, aka the competition pictured in the movie “Pitch Perfect.” Madelyn enjoys leading worship at church, occasionally writes and shares her own music, and believes music has the ability to inspire, educate, and heal others. Madelyn also loves photography, working at an adoption agency, and dancing like no one is watching.

Erin is a versatile singer with an extensive background in music education. Erin studied voice with a concentration in operatic performance at University of Maryland College Park. She is a three-time recipient of the Rosa Ponselle Silver Rose All Marylanders award. In addition to having taught private lessons for children and adults, Erin developed, implemented, and evaluated a year round, in-school music education curriculum for Chicago Public School students in 3 rd through 8 th grades as the program Director for the nonprofit Rock For Kids (now Foundations of Music). Currently Erin sings and is a multi-instrumentalist with the rock band FuzzQueen. Erin’s band, FuzzQueen premiered singles in The Huffington Post and Atwood Magazine. They have been featured in the Washington Post. She has also toured nationally with Miss Shevaughn &amp; Yuma Wray for several years. She has performed at such diverse venues as Carnegie Hall, The Kingman Island Festival, and Tipitina’s. She has been featured as a vocalist on NPR and in national and regional press. Erin has experience with many styles including: jazz, musical theatre, pop, rock, country, and classical. She is committed to helping you sing your heart out!